Best Caliber/Type Handgun For Concealed Carry

Personally I want a versatile handgun that is close to the most powerful I can conceivably carry in pocket. I settled on a compact .357 revolver.
That said, carry is a nuisance a lot of the time and during summer months I frequently carry a .22 auto due to cheap, plentiful ammo and ease of carry when wearing shorts and a tee.

Pitty this older gent wasn't carrying something with a bit more pop but his .380 mostly got the job done.

Not sure about .22lr ... sure, it's better than nothing, but my primary concern is reliability of the ammo. Even CCI Mini Mags have had some failure to fires for me. For me, .380 is about the smallest I'd go with a pocket pistol, but if I'm carrying IWB, I'd go for a subcompact single stack 9mm, perferably in double action.

The Springfield XDs is very interesting, but the .45acp in such a small poly frame seems like a little much to me. Rumor is that they will also be avilable in 9mm soon. Smith and Wesson M&P Shield also looks good and that comes in both 9mm and .40 S&W.

Regarding the video, I'm a little concerned that the armed patron continued firing after the criminals were clearly running away.

Accurate for size, it's a bit heavy but I believe it helps when it being fired...

The gun actually has 2 safetys, the web safety on the back and a triger safety, if you look at the triger it has a smaller trigger in the larger one, pretty much tou have to have a good slid grip to fire it. Unlike the Glock if you drop the magizine it will still fire the chambered round.

The magazine buttons can be used by right and left handed shooters. I bought mine at $425. For the money it is a nice weapon.

It's the smallest and lightest 9mm made and weighs in at 12.4 ounces. It's made in Cocoa, Florida. DAO trigger that's VERY smooth without stacking and is a pleasure to carry. Loaded with Hornady Critical Defense ammo it's a fomidable tool. Seven round magazine and comes with a spare. If you need more ammo, you either need to call in an airstrike or you're in the wrong place to begin with.

The PF9 is a good gun for the price, just not quite small enough for a pants pocket. I ended up with the Taurus 380, but the Keltec, Ruger, Diamondback and S&W tiny 380's are all worth looking at. I also have an NAA .22 Magnum Mini revolver which will disappear in your pocket...I just wanted something that looked more like a gun. I also tried a Ruger LCR which was punishing to shoot, and I'm used to snubbies. How it feels in your hand is a major consideration.

I carry a bunch (not all at one time ), but I'd say that any compact 9mm is the best compromise for round capacity in the onboard mag, and firepower for stopping an attack if good hollow points are used.

The problem with carry pistols is that you really can't stop at one. You find various and different situtations that call for different ways to carry.

Reminds me of Axle Foley looking in Billys room and saying "Billy, we have to talk."

I guess my take on it is that Yes, there are plenty of dead bag guys as a result of a 22LR, I would go with a 9mm at the smallest. I've been looking for a small CCW for about the past month and I'm deciding between the KelTec PF9 or the Taurus PT709 Slim. Other 9mm's I've tried just dont feel quite right in my hand.

Same as AintQytRite. Ruger LCP (for now). I carry it all the time (ALL the time) and no one has ever even noticed. I wear cargo shorts and Ts 95% of the time.

I also have the XD9sc same as RCWorks. I really love that pistol as far as function and feel. A little big to CC depending on what you wear. What I've noticed is the smaller the guy, the bigger the gun they can carry. Guess it's because their cloths are looser. My son-in-law carries a full frame .45 1911 and you cannot see it. He's skinny as a rail so even dress clothes blouse on him.

To the Guy who tried to mug me in downtown Savannah night before last:

I was the guy with the black Burberry jacket that you demanded I hand over, shortly after you pulled the knife on me and my girlfriend. You also asked for my girlfriend's purse and earrings. I hope you somehow come across this message. I'd like to apologize. I didn't expect you to crap in your pants when I drew my pistol after you took my jacket. Truth is, I was wearing the jacket for a reason that evening, and it wasn't that cold outside. You see, my girlfriend had just bought me that Kimber Model 1911, .45 ACP pistol for Christmas, and we had just picked up a shoulder holster for it that evening. Beautiful pistol, eh?

It's a very intimidating weapon when pointed at your head, isn't it? I know it probably wasn't a great deal of fun walking back to wherever you'd come from with that brown sludge flopping about in your pants. I'm sure it was even worse since you also ended up leaving your shoes, cell phone, and wallet with me.

I couldn't have you calling up any of your buddies to come help you try to mug us again. I took the liberty of calling your mother, or "Momma" as you had her listed in your cell, and explaining to her your situation. I also bought myself and four other people in the gas station this morning a tank full of gas on your credit card. The guy with the big motor home took 150 gallons and was extremely grateful! I gave your shoes to one of the homeless guys over by Vinnie Van Go Go's, along with all of the cash in your wallet.

I threw the wallet in a fancy pink "pimp mobile" parked at the curb after I broke the windshield and side window out and keyed the drivers side. I called a bunch of phone sex numbers from your cell phone. They'll be on your bill in case you'd like to know which ones. Ma Bell just shut down the line, and I've only had the phone for a little over a day now, so I don't know what's going on with that. I hope they haven't permanently cut off your service.

I could only get in two threatening phone calls to the DA's office and one to the FBI with it. The FBI guy was really pissed and we had a long chat (I guess while he traced the number).

I'd also like to apologize for not killing you and instead making you walk back home humiliated. I'm hoping that you'll reconsider your choice of path in life. Next time you might not be so lucky.